Weapon Sling System, Weapon System and Related Method of Carrying and Securing a Weapon

ABSTRACT

A weapon sling system includes a weapon harness, including a weapon retention strap having a first connector adapted for connection to a weapon at a first point, and a retracting lanyard having a second connector adapted for connection to the weapon at a second point. A weapon system includes the weapon sling system and the weapon carried by that weapon sling system. In addition a method of carrying and securing a weapon includes steps of: (a) securing a weapon harness about a shoulder and torso of a user, (b) securing a retracting lanyard at a waist of the user, (c) connecting a weapon retention strap of the weapon harness to the weapon at a first point and (d) connecting a lanyard cord of the retracting lanyard to the weapon at a second point.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/396,046, filed on Aug. 8, 2022, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates generally to weapon slings, weapon systems and related methods for carrying and securing a weapon.

BACKGROUND

Various weapon sling systems have long been known in the art. The weapons sling system and the weapon system, incorporating that weapon sling system, that are described in this document provide a number of benefits and advantages unavailable in the past including the ability to automatically return the weapon to a home position at the front and side of the user where it is held in place while the user uses his hands for other tasks. This represents a significant advance in the art of weapon sling systems and weapon systems.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes and benefits set forth herein, a new and improved weapon sling system is provided. That weapon sling system, comprises, consists of or consists essentially of a weapon harness including a weapon retention strap having a first connector adapted for connection to a weapon at a first point and a retracting lanyard having a second connector adapted for connection to the weapon at a second point.

In at least one of the many possible embodiments of the weapon sling system, the weapon harness includes a shoulder strap connected to a torso strap. In such an embodiment, the weapon retention strap may be connected to the shoulder strap.

In at least some embodiments, the retracting lanyard includes a retracting reel and a lanyard cord having a proximal end connected to the retracting reel and a distal end connected to the second connector. The retracting reel may be adapted to be secured at the waist of the user.

In at least one embodiment, the torso strap extends fully around a torso of the user. In at least one other embodiment, the torso strap includes a first end having a first connecting clip and a second end having a second connecting clip. As will be described in greater detail below, this allows for use and connection of the weapon sling system with a tactical vest of the type known in the art.

In accordance with an additional aspect, a new and improved weapon system is provided. That weapon system comprises, consists of or consists essentially of: (a) a weapon harness including a weapon retention strap having a first connector, (b) a retracting lanyard having a second connector and (c) a weapon including a first connection point, rear of a trigger, and a second connection point forward of an ammunition magazine, wherein the first connector is attached to the weapon at the first connection point and the second connector is attached to the weapon at the second connecting point.

In at least some embodiments of the weapon system, the weapon harness includes a shoulder strap connected to a torso strap. In at least some of those embodiments, the weapon retention strap is connected to the shoulder strap.

In some embodiments, the retracting lanyard of the weapon system includes a retracting reel and a lanyard cord having a proximal end connected to the retracting reel and a distal end connected to the second connector. The retracting reel may be adapted to be secured at the waist of the user.

Still further, in some embodiments of the weapon system, the torso strap extends fully around a torso of the user. In other embodiments of the weapon system, the torso strap includes a first end having a first connecting clip and a second end having a second connecting clip.

In accordance with yet another aspect. A new and improved method is provided for carrying and securing a weapon. That method comprises, consists of or consists essentially of the steps of: (a) securing a weapon harness about a shoulder and torso of a user, (b) securing a retracting lanyard at a waist of the user, (c) connecting a weapon retention strap of the weapon harness to the weapon at a first point and (d) connecting a lanyard cord of the retracting lanyard to the weapon at a second point.

The method may further include the step of locating the first point to a rear of a trigger of the weapon. In addition, the method may further include the step of locating the second point forward of an ammunition magazine of the weapon.

In at least some embodiments, the method includes the step of returning the weapon to a home position along a front side of the user by action of the retracting lanyard when the weapon is released by the user. Further, the method may include the step of maintaining the weapon in the home position by the combined action of the retracting lanyard and the weapon retention strap.

In the following description, there are shown and described several different embodiments of the new and improved weapon sling system, weapon system and method of carrying and securing a weapon. As it should be realized, those systems and methods are capable of other, different embodiments and their several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the systems and methods as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein by reference and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the new and improved weapon sling system, the weapon system and the method of carrying and securing a weapon and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the weapon sling system.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a user wearing the weapon sling system illustrated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of one possible embodiment of the weapon system incorporating the weapon sling system of FIG. 1 and showing the weapon in the home position at the front and side of the user.

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the user with the weapon held in a ready position and further showing the first and second points of connection between the weapon sling system and the weapon.

FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the user with the weapon held in the ready position.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view showing the connection of the connector at the end of the lanyard cord to the weapon at the second point forward of the ammunition magazine.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the weapon sling system adapted for connection to a tactical vest worn by the user.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the weapon system incorporating the weapon sling system of FIG. 7 and showing the weapon in the home position at the front and side of the user.

FIG. 9 is a right side elevational view further showing the weapon in the home position at the front and side of the user.

FIG. 10 is a right side elevational view of the user with the weapon held in a ready position.

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view showing the further connection of the weapon sling to the tactical vest at the back of the user.

FIG. 12A illustrates in detail, one possible embodiment of the retracting lanyard including the bracket carried on the housing and adapted for securing the housing to the belt of a user.

FIG. 12B illustrates the bracket of FIG. 12A engaging a belt.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the weapon sling system including length adjustable torso and shoulder straps.

FIGS. 14A-14C are respective views illustrating (14A) the weapon sling system adapted for connection to a military plate carrier, (14B) the connection of the torso strap to the front of the military plate carrier and (14C) the connection of the torso strap to the rear of the military plate carrier.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the weapon sling system, weapon system and method of carrying and securing a weapon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-6 which illustrate a first possible embodiment of the new and improved weapon sling system 10 and weapon system 100 incorporating that weapon sling system.

The weapon sling system 10 includes a weapon harness 12 having a torso strap 14 and a shoulder strap 16 adapted to be secured to the body of the user. More particularly, the torso strap 14 includes a first section 18 and a second section 20. The first section 18 is permanently attached to two metal torso strap rings 22, 24, one at each end. The second section 20 is permanently attached at a first end to the ring 22. The second end of the second section 20 includes a connecting clip 26, of a type known in the art, to allow connection and disconnection to the second ring 24.

The shoulder strap 16 includes a first segment 28 and a second segment 30 connected together by the shoulder strap ring 32. The first segment 28 has a first end permanently attached to the torso strap 14 at the ring 22 and a second end permanently attached to the ring 32. The second segment 30 has a first end permanently attached to the shoulder strap ring 32 and a second end permanently attached to the torso strap 14 at the ring 24.

One secures the weapon harness 12 in position by first disconnecting the connecting clip 26 from the ring 24 and then extending an arm through the opening outlined by the shoulder strap 16 and the first section 18 of the torso strap 14 so that the shoulder strap extends over the shoulder and the first section extends under the arm. The second section 20 of the torso strap 14 is then pulled around the torso and the connecting clip 26 is secured to the ring 24. Any one or more of the torso strap sections 18, 20 and the shoulder strap segments 28, 30 may be length adjustable using strap adjustment systems and buckles of a type known in the art. FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the weapon harness 12 properly secured to and worn by the user U.

The torso strap sections 18, 20 and the shoulder strap segments 28, 30 may be made from any appropriate material. In one possible embodiment, the torso strap sections 18, 20 and the shoulder strap segments 28 and 30 are made from parachute cord or paracord, a lightweight cord made from nylon that usually has several strands inside. This provides some resiliency. In addition, the parachute cord includes about 58 meters of cord that may be unraveled from the hook or ring and used for other purposes in an emergency. In other embodiments, other materials, such as bungee cord, natural fabric strap material or synthetic strap material are used. In some embodiments, the various sections 18, 20 and segments 28, 30 are made from different materials with some providing various levels of elasticity/resiliency and some not.

The weapon harness 12 further includes a weapon retention strap 34 having a proximal end 36 permanently connected to the shoulder strap ring 32 and a distal end 38 carrying a first connector 40, of a type known in the art, that is adapted for connection to a weapon W at a first point P1 rearward of the trigger T of the weapon (see particularly FIGS. 1 and 4 showing connector 40 connected to the weapon ring R1). The weapon retention strap 34 may be made from paracord or other resilient material.

The weapon sling system 10 also includes a retracting lanyard, generally designated by reference numeral 50. The retracting lanyard 50 comprises a retracting reel 52, of a type known in the art, for paying out and retracting a lanyard cord 54. The retracting reel 52 includes a housing 56 adapted for connection, by bracket or other means (not shown), to a belt loop or a belt B at or near the waist of the user U. The lanyard cord 54 has a proximal end (not shown inside the housing 56) connected to the reel 52 and a distal end 58 carrying a second connector 60, of a type known in the art, adapted for connection to the weapon W at a second point P2 forward of the ammunition magazine M of the weapon (see particularly, FIGS. 4-6 showing connector 60 connected to the weapon ring R2).

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7-11 illustrating an alternative embodiment of the weapon sling system 10′ and the weapon system 200 incorporating that weapon sling system 10′. The only difference between the first embodiment of the weapon sling system 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 and the second embodiment of the weapon sling system 10′ illustrated in FIGS. 7-11 is the construction of the torso strap 14. The common components of the two embodiments are identified with the same reference numbers and for brevity will not be described again in detail.

In the second embodiment 10′, the torso strap 14 includes a second section 20 divided into two parts 20 a and 20 b. The first part 20 a has a first end permanently connected to the ring 24 and a second end carrying a first connecting clip 26 a. The second part 20 b has a first end permanently connected to the ring 22 and a second end carrying the connecting clip 26 b. This second embodiment of the weapon sling system 10′ is particularly adapted for using with a tactical vest V of a type known in the art.

One secures the weapon harness 12 of the second weapon sling system 10′ illustrated in FIGS. 7-11 in position by first extending an arm through the opening outlined by the shoulder strap 16 and the first section 18 of the torso strap 14 so that the shoulder strap extends over the shoulder and the first section extends under the arm. The first part 20 a of the second section 20 of the torso strap 14 is then pulled by the user U across the front of the torso and the connecting clip 26 a is secured to one of the loops L1 of the vest V with the carabiner C as shown in FIG. 8 . The second part 20 b of the second section 20 of the torso strap 14 is then pulled across the back of the torso and secured to another loop L2 of the vest V (see FIG. 11 ) so that the weapon harness is snugly secured to the user U. The snug connection is ensured by the elasticity of the torso strap 14 and/or by length adjustment of that strap. FIGS. 8-11 illustrate the weapon harness 12 properly secured to and worn by the user U.

In any embodiment of the weapon sling system, including those illustrated at 10 and 10′, the retracting lanyard 50 may be connected to a belt B by means of a bracket 70. As illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the bracket 70 is carried on the housing 56. More specifically, the bracket 70 includes a first plate 72 attached to the housing 56 by pivot pin, bolt or other fastening means (not visible in the drawing figures) and a second plate 74 attached to the first plate at each end by threaded fasteners 76. A belt receiving space 78, is defined between the two plates 72,74. Two or more resilient keepers 80, carried on the second plate 74 project into the space 80. When one wants to mount the housing 56 of the retracting lanyard 50 to a belt B, one passes the belt though the space 78 between the plates 72, 74. The resilient keepers 80 engage the belt B, pressing it tightly against the first plate 72 thereby effectively securing the housing 56 and the retracting lanyard 50 in place on the belt B.

FIG. 13 illustrates yet another possible embodiment of the weapon sling system 10″. The only significant difference between the weapon sling system 10″, illustrated in FIG. 13 , and the two embodiments 10 and 10′ illustrated in FIGS. 1-11 is the fact that the shoulder strap 16 and torso strap 18 are length adjustable. See ladder lock buckles 82, of a type known in the art, that allow for length adjustment of the straps 16 and 18. The common components of the three embodiments 10, 10′ and 10″ are identified with the same reference numbers and for brevity will not be described again in detail.

Finally FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate how the third embodiment of the weapon sling system 10″ is attached to a military plate carrier C. More particularly, the second section 20 of the torso strap 18 is replaced with the two military plate connectors 84; one extending from the ring 24 and adapted for connection to the military plate carrier at a loop L1 at the front of the military plate carrier and the other extending from the ring 22 and adapted for connection to the military plate carrier at a loop L2 at the rear of the military plate carrier.

With the weapons of today getting smaller and more powerful, stability becomes an issue. The weapon sling systems 10 and 10′ illustrated in FIGS. 1-11 and described above use the back of the shoulder to brace the weapon W instead of the front of the shoulder. By pushing the weapon W away for stability instead of pulling the weapon toward the shoulder, you can effectively use the weapon one handed while using the other hand for another task. See FIGS. 4 and 10 .

Once finished with the weapon W, upon release, the weapon will, under the action of the retracting lanyard 50, automatically “return to a home position” at the front side of the user U (see particularly, FIGS. 3, 8, 9 and 11 ) and will stay there by the combined action of the retracting lanyard and the weapon retention strap 34 until the user is ready to redeploy the weapon.

Significantly, the two point connection between the weapon sling system 10, 10′ and the weapon W also ensures that the weapon cannot be easily taken away from the user U. With the harness 12 worn as it is supposed to be, the harness cannot be removed from the user without being unclipped. The same is also true for the weapon W.

This disclosure may be said to relate to the following items.

-   -   1. A weapon sling system, comprising:         -   a weapon harness including a weapon retention strap having a             first connector adapted for connection to a weapon at a             first point; and         -   a retracting lanyard having a second connector adapted for             connection to the weapon at a second point.     -   2. The weapon sling system of item 1, wherein the weapon harness         includes a shoulder strap connected to a torso strap.     -   3. The weapon sling system of item 2, wherein the weapon         retention strap is connected to the shoulder strap.     -   4. The weapon sling system of item 3, wherein the retracting         lanyard includes a retracting reel and a lanyard cord having a         proximal end connected to the retracting reel and a distal end         connected to the second connector.     -   5. The weapon sling system of item 4, wherein the retracting         reel is adapted to be secured at the waist of the user.     -   6. The weapon sling system of item 5, wherein the torso strap         extends fully around a torso of the user.     -   7. The weapon sling system of item 5, wherein the torso strap         includes a first end having a first connecting clip and a second         end having a second connecting clip.     -   8. A weapon system, comprising:         -   a weapon harness including a weapon retention strap having a             first connector;         -   a retracting lanyard having a second connector; and         -   a weapon including a first connection point, rear of a             trigger, and a second connection point forward of an             ammunition magazine, wherein the first connector is attached             to the weapon at the first connection point and the second             connector is attached to the weapon at the second connecting             point.     -   9. The weapon system of item 8, wherein the weapon harness         includes a shoulder strap connected to a torso strap.     -   10. The weapon system of item 9, wherein the weapon retention         strap is connected to the shoulder strap.     -   11. The weapon system of item 10, wherein the retracting lanyard         includes a retracting reel and a lanyard cord having a proximal         end connected to the retracting reel and a distal end connected         to the second connector.     -   12. The weapon system of item 11, wherein the retracting reel is         adapted to be secured at the waist of the user.     -   13. The weapon system of item 12, wherein the torso strap         extends fully around a torso of the user.     -   14. The weapon system of item 12, wherein the torso strap         includes a first end having a first connecting clip and a second         end having a second connecting clip.     -   15. A method of carrying and securing a weapon, comprising:         -   securing a weapon harness about a shoulder and torso of a             user;         -   securing a retracting lanyard at a waist of the user;         -   connecting a weapon retention strap of the weapon harness to             the weapon at a first point; and         -   connecting a lanyard cord of the retracting lanyard to the             weapon at a second point.     -   16. The method of item 15, including locating the first point to         a rear of a trigger of the weapon.     -   17. The method of item 16, including locating the second point         forward of an ammunition magazine of the weapon.     -   18. The method of item 17, including returning the weapon to a         home position along a front side of the user by action of the         retracting lanyard when the weapon is released by the user.     -   19. The method of item 18, further including maintaining the         weapon in the home position by a combined action of the         retracting lanyard and the weapon retention strap.     -   20. The method of item 15, including returning the weapon to a         home position along a front side of the user by action of the         retracting lanyard when the weapon is released by the user.

Each of the following terms: “includes”, “including”, “has”, “having”, “comprises”, and “comprising”, and, their linguistic/grammatical variants, derivatives, or/and conjugates, as used herein, means “including, but not limited to”, and is to be taken as specifying the stated component(s), feature(s), characteristic(s), parameter(s), integer(s), or step(s), and does not preclude addition of one or more additional component(s), feature(s), characteristic(s), parameter(s), integer(s), step(s), or groups thereof.

The phrase “consisting of”, as used herein, is closed-ended and excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specifically mentioned. The phrase “consisting essentially of”, as used herein, is a semi-closed term indicating that an item is limited to the components specified and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of what is specified.

Terms of approximation, such as the terms about, substantially, approximately, etc., as used herein, refers to ±10% of the stated numerical value.

Although the weapon sling system, weapon system and related method of carrying and securing a weapon set forth in this disclosure have been illustratively described and presented by way of specific exemplary embodiments, and examples thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, or/and variations, thereof, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that all such alternatives, modifications, or/and variations, fall within the spirit of, and are encompassed by, the broad scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A weapon sling system, comprising: a weapon harness including a weapon retention strap having a first connector adapted for connection to a weapon at a first point; and a retracting lanyard having a second connector adapted for connection to the weapon at a second point.
 2. The weapon sling system of claim 1, wherein the weapon harness includes a shoulder strap connected to a torso strap.
 3. The weapon sling system of claim 2, wherein the weapon retention strap is connected to the shoulder strap.
 4. The weapon sling system of claim 3, wherein the retracting lanyard includes a retracting reel and a lanyard cord having a proximal end connected to the retracting reel and a distal end connected to the second connector.
 5. The weapon sling system of claim 4, wherein the retracting reel is adapted to be secured at the waist of the user.
 6. The weapon sling system of claim 5, wherein the torso strap extends fully around a torso of the user.
 7. The weapon sling system of claim 5, wherein the torso strap includes a first end having a first connecting clip and a second end having a second connecting clip.
 8. A weapon system, comprising: a weapon harness including a weapon retention strap having a first connector; a retracting lanyard having a second connector; and a weapon including a first connection point, rear of a trigger, and a second connection point forward of an ammunition magazine, wherein the first connector is attached to the weapon at the first connection point and the second connector is attached to the weapon at the second connecting point.
 9. The weapon system of claim 8, wherein the weapon harness includes a shoulder strap connected to a torso strap.
 10. The weapon system of claim 9, wherein the weapon retention strap is connected to the shoulder strap.
 11. The weapon system of claim 10, wherein the retracting lanyard includes a retracting reel and a lanyard cord having a proximal end connected to the retracting reel and a distal end connected to the second connector.
 12. The weapon system of claim 11, wherein the retracting reel is adapted to be secured at the waist of the user.
 13. The weapon system of claim 12, wherein the torso strap extends fully around a torso of the user.
 14. The weapon system of claim 12, wherein the torso strap includes a first end having a first connecting clip and a second end having a second connecting clip.
 15. A method of carrying and securing a weapon, comprising: securing a weapon harness about a shoulder and torso of a user; securing a retracting lanyard at a waist of the user; connecting a weapon retention strap of the weapon harness to the weapon at a first point; and connecting a lanyard cord of the retracting lanyard to the weapon at a second point.
 16. The method of claim 15, including locating the first point to a rear of a trigger of the weapon.
 17. The method of claim 16, including locating the second point forward of an ammunition magazine of the weapon.
 18. The method of claim 17, including returning the weapon to a home position along a front side of the user by action of the retracting lanyard when the weapon is released by the user.
 19. The method of claim 18, further including maintaining the weapon in the home position by a combined action of the retracting lanyard and the weapon retention strap.
 20. The method of claim 15, including returning the weapon to a home position along a front side of the user by action of the retracting lanyard when the weapon is released by the user. 